Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10, which sought to expand North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), highlights his opposition to school choice. Despite growing demand and evidence supporting the benefits of vouchers, the governor’s decision leaves thousands of students on the waiting list for scholarships to attend private schools.
Cooper argues that school vouchers divert public funds from public schools, but this reasoning is flawed. The OSP provides low- and middle-income families the chance to escape underperforming schools and seek better educational opportunities. A recent study from the National Bureau for Economic Research, conducted by leading universities, further supports the public value of vouchers, showing that they improve student welfare and expand access to preferred schools.
North Carolina’s OSP is designed to prioritize low-income families, offering tiered funding based on financial need, making it an equitable program. With public schools spending over $12,000 per pupil, the OSP provides a more efficient use of public funds, allowing families to pursue private education with reduced financial strain.
Cooper’s opposition ignores the flexibility and benefits of the OSP, focusing instead on preserving the public school system over giving families the freedom to choose better options. The General Assembly should work to override his veto, prioritizing the educational needs of North Carolina students and expanding access to school choice.
